Studio Mule continues their dig into the depths of rare grooves from 1980's Japan, this time picking up where Vol. 1 left off. Compiling an eclectic mix of hens-teeth rare joints has become the modus operandi for selectah Mule Musiq aka Toshiya Kawasaki, and Volume 3 in the Midnight in Tokyo does not disappoint in the slightest. The compilation features rare grooves, Brazilian-esque jazz fusion, dubb-y cuts and dance-y grooves that are best geared toward late night enjoyment. Cuts include the opening rare groove classic "More Sexy," a provocative song by Yoko Hatanaka, "Silhouette Call," a bossanova track in the vein of Antena, "Theme Of High School Student," a dubby cut featured in the 1984 Japanese film Kougen Ni Ressha Ga Hashitta, "Get To Paradise," a stone-cold funk jam from the Shimokitazawa equivalent to Janis Joplin, and "Fantasy" by Masako Miyazaki is the Earth, Wind & Fire cover you never knew you needed. Other killer-kuts like the certified disco-boogie classic "Watashi No Koukoku" by Junko Sakurada, the Giorgio Moroder inspired "Singing Lady" by The Fad, and the disco anthem "Magic Eyes" by The Eastern Gang are dancefloor jammers that are not to be slept on. It's hard not going in-depth into each track, but each track is rarer than the last, and this collection is chalk full of obscure gems that'll keep you grooving past midnight. 14 tracks spread across four sides of vinyl, released by Studio Mule. Recommended.

• double vinyl pressing
• music label: Studio Mule 2019

reviewed by Ralphy Corduroy 2/2019